HC Deb 23 April 1996 vol 276 c87W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects provisions to be in place to allow the Police Complaints Authority discretion to publish information to inform the public of the outcome of investigations; and if he will make a statement. [26370]

Mr. Maclean

The disclosure of information by the Police Complaints Authority is governed by section 98 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. We have already announced our intention to amend section 98 to allow the PCA discretion to publish such information as is reasonably necessary to inform the public of the outcome of investigations and we await a suitable legislative opportunity.

Dr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to give the Police Complaints Authority powers to recommend disciplinary charges if evidence shows that on the balance of probability an offence has been committed by a police officer. [26371]

Mr. Maclean

The Police Complaints Authority already has powers to recommend or, ultimately, to direct that disciplinary charges be brought against a police officer.